Texas mom could get more prison in girl's abuse

El Paso mom sentenced to life in beating death of daughter, 3, could get additional 99 years

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Published On: Oct 17 2012 12:48:43 PM CDT
EL PASO, Texas -

A West Texas woman sentenced to life in prison for the fatal beating of her 3-year-old daughter could get another 99 years for not protecting the girl.

Closing arguments are scheduled Tuesday in El Paso in the penalty phase for Yara Belen Perez on an injury to a child conviction.

Jurors on Friday also convicted Perez of capital murder in the 2007 death of Jacqueline Gonzalez. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty so Perez received an automatic life prison term for capital murder.

Two neighbors testified Monday about Perez abusing the girl, such as hitting and kicking her.

Her ex-boyfriend, Francisco Castaneda, is serving life in prison over the death.

The woman's 2011 trial ended in a mistrial when a juror overheard two bailiffs talking about the case.